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OBSERVATIONS ON THE COD-LIVER OIL.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE OLEUM JECORIS ASELLI, OR COD-LIVER OIL;

ITS NATURE, PROPERTIES, MODE OF PREPARATION, &c.

BY JOHN SAVORY,

MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF APOTHECARIES, LATE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN, &c. &c.

LONDON: JOHN CHURCHILL, PRINCES STREET, SOHO. 1849.

LONDON: G. J. PALMER, PRINTER, SAVOY-STREET, STRAND.

ON COD-LIVER OIL.

The introduction of a new therapeutical agent into general practice cannot fail to interest the medical profession and the public, and, profiting by the experience attained in a consideration of the manner in which former remedies have been brought into notice, extolled for their efficacy, persevered in for a time, and then gradually permitted to fall into disuse, and finally sink into oblivion, it will doubtless be useful to review the circumstances attendant upon the proposal now so generally entertained of the administration of the cod-liver oil for a variety of diseases and disorders.

Dr. Percival remarks, that it was so largely dispensed at the Manchester infirmary, that "near a hogshead of it was disposed of annually;" yet its employment was almost solely confined to the relief of cases of chronic rheumatism, sciatica, and those contractions and rigidities so frequently the consequences of exposure to damp and cold. In these cases it was considered as superior to all other remedial means that had been used, and its beneficial effects were strikingly apparent. The operation of the oil in the first instance was mostly to increase the pain sustained by the afflicted, but this was soon succeeded by a gradual subsidence of the severity of the symptoms. It occasioned, particularly in irritable habits, an acceleration of the pulse, and diffused a glow of warmth over the whole frame of a very agreeable description. It promoted the secretions of the skin, and occasionally acted on the bowels. It was observed, that when its use had been persisted in for a few weeks the tongue became foul and the appetite impaired, so that an emetic was found to be necessary. It was, however, given in large doses, varying from one to three table-spoonfuls twice, thrice, or four times daily. It was also employed extensively as a liniment to the stiffened joints or limbs; but if soreness existed its use was forbidden; it was also never exhibited internally when fever was present.

The oil employed at the Manchester Infirmary was obtained from Newfoundland, and brought thence in barrels containing from 400 to 520 pounds in weight; it was obtained by the putrefaction of the livers of the fish, which were heaped together for the purpose. The oil so procured was, however, found to be exceedingly nauseous and offensive, both as regards smell and taste, so that but few stomachs could bear it, although a variety of means were resorted to to disguise its unpleasant character.

Notwithstanding this, Dr. Bardsley remarks, that where it could be persisted in, such was the power of habit, that a relish for its flavour succeeded to its use, and what before was taken with such extreme disgust became pleasurably received. Dr. Percival says, the oil left upon the palate a savour like that of putrid fish, and that the perspiration of those taking it was strongly tainted with it. The oil, however, was not solely obtained from the livers of the cod-fish, but also from the ling . So offensive was it found to be, that it was, in many instances, rendered necessary to combine it into the form of a liquid soap, and it is not too much to assert, that the efficiency of it as a remedy must have been, in no inconsiderable degree, impaired by the formulae to which it was reduced.

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